Dr. Elaine Heffner: Addictive attention

Tuesday

Jan 23, 2018 at 9:51 AMJan 23, 2018 at 9:51 AM

Dr. Elaine Heffner More Content Now

“In loco Parentis” is a Latin term meaning in place of a parent, or instead of a parent. It refers to the legal responsibility of some person or organization to perform some of the functions or responsibilities of a parent. At one time it was used to refer to the role of colleges, with many children living away from home for the first time, and where it was believed, some form of supervision was required.

This phrase came to mind when hearing that we must turn to technology to solve the problems created by technology. For some time, researchers have been warning about the negative effect of addictive use of digital technology on our cognition, psyche and well-being. Now tech experts themselves have expressed fears about how social networks alter our emotional lives and relationships, and what they’re doing to children.

The thinking is that we are no match for the sophisticated machinery of engagement and persuasion being built into smartphone apps. Since technology has created this undesirable level of use — or abuse — it is technology that must create a solution. Many experts designate Apple as the company best able to address the problem of tech addiction.

For one who did not grow up in the tech world, learning about some suggested ways Apple could do this was itself an education. Specifically, what comes to light is the source of the addiction — what it is that keeps continuous attention on one’s phone. Most people using any form of technology soon become aware of how much is known about you through your use. This information is used to solicit ads — a source of revenue for those advertising, as well as the carriers of the ads.

Such ads are placed in ways to capture the attention of tech users, speaking as they do to already known interests of users. Additionally, users are notified when something in which they have expressed interest appears. Such notification, or buzzing, also occurs to alert users to social interests they may have demonstrated. At last I understand why my computer notifies me about Twitter entries by people I know. Commercial interests underlie the techniques to gain the attention of tech users.

Apparently, Apple has been designated a potential problem solver because of its role in inventing the smartphone and devising changes and improvements. One thought is that Apple could curb some of the worst excesses in how apps monitor and notify you to keep you hooked by installing ad blockers in its operating system.

Another suggestion is giving people feedback about how they are using their devices. Can you imagine your phone telling you how much time you spent on Facebook, or scolding you for wasting time on Twitter? Or suggesting you will be reminded in the future if you overstep your agreed-on time limit for social media use.

What comes to mind is the “just say no” campaign, or more significantly the use of advertising to address the dangers of and curb smoking, which has proven successful.

Using advertising would be an attempt to change society rather than building a less-addictive phone. More significant, however, is the attempt to replace what once might have been thought of as the role of parents. “In Loco Parentis.”

In place of parents the devices themselves will monitor your use, will set limits on time spent — or wasted — signing on to adds that involves spending money, take on the role of protecting your health, ability to focus, and emotional life.

Will technology itself prove to be a higher authority than parents? That remains to be seen. — Elaine Heffner, LCSW, Ed.D., has written for Parents Magazine, Fox.com, Redbook, Disney online and PBS Parents, as well as other publications. She has appeared on PBS, ABC, Fox TV and other networks. Dr. Heffner is the author of “Goodenoughmothering: The Best of the Blog,” as well as “Mothering: The Emotional Experience of Motherhood after Freud and Feminism.” She is a psychotherapist and parent educator in private practice, as well as a senior lecturer of education in psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Heffner was a co-founder and served as director of the Nursery School Treatment Center at Payne Whitney Clinic, New York Hospital. And she blogs at goodenoughmothering.com.

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